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Azad A, Altunbas HA, Manguoglu AE. From islet transplantation to beta-cell regeneration: an update on beta-cell-based therapeutic approaches in type 1 diabetes. Expert Rev Endocrinol Metab 2024; 19:217-227. [PMID: 38693782 DOI: 10.1080/17446651.2024.2347263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Type 1 diabetes (T1D) mellitus is an autoimmune disease in which immune cells, predominantly effector T cells, destroy insulin-secreting beta-cells. Beta-cell destruction led to various consequences ranging from retinopathy and nephropathy to neuropathy. Different strategies have been developed to achieve normoglycemia, including exogenous glucose compensation, whole pancreas transplantation, islet transplantation, and beta-cell replacement. AREAS COVERED The last two decades of experience have shown that indigenous glucose compensation through beta-cell regeneration and protection is a peerless method for T1D therapy. Tremendous studies have tried to find an unlimited source for beta-cell regeneration, on the one hand, and beta-cell protection against immune attack, on the other hand. Recent advances in stem cell technology, gene editing methods, and immune modulation approaches provide a unique opportunity for both beta-cell regeneration and protection. EXPERT OPINION Pluripotent stem cell differentiation into the beta-cell is considered an unlimited source for beta-cell regeneration. Devising engineered pancreas-specific regulatory T cells using Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) technology potentiates an effective immune tolerance induction for beta-cell protection. Beta-cell regeneration using pluripotent stem cells and beta-cell protection using pancreas-specific engineered regulatory T cells promises to develop a curative protocol in T1D.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asef Azad
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Hasan Ali Altunbas
- Department of Endocrinology, Faculty of Medicine, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Ayse Esra Manguoglu
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
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2
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Marks MP, Giménez CA, Isaja L, Vera MB, Borzone FR, Pereyra-Bonnet F, Romorini L, Videla-Richardson GA, Chasseing NA, Calvo JC, Vellón L. Role of hydroxymethylglutharyl-coenzyme A reductase in the induction of stem-like states in breast cancer. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2024; 150:106. [PMID: 38418798 PMCID: PMC10902018 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-024-05607-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE De novo synthesis of cholesterol and its rate-limiting enzyme, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutharyl-coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR), is deregulated in tumors and critical for tumor cell survival and proliferation. However, the role of HMGCR in the induction and maintenance of stem-like states in tumors remains unclear. METHODS A compiled public database from breast cancer (BC) patients was analyzed with the web application SurvExpress. Cell Miner was used for the analysis of HMGCR expression and statin sensitivity of the NCI-60 cell lines panel. A CRISPRon system was used to induce HMGCR overexpression in the luminal BC cell line MCF-7 and a lentiviral pLM-OSKM system for the reprogramming of MCF-7 cells. Comparisons were performed by two-tailed unpaired t-test for two groups and one- or two-way ANOVA. RESULTS Data from BC patients showed that high expression of several members of the cholesterol synthesis pathway were associated with lower recurrence-free survival, particularly in hormone-receptor-positive BC. In silico and in vitro analysis showed that HMGCR is expressed in several BC cancer cell lines, which exhibit a subtype-dependent response to statins in silico and in vitro. A stem-like phenotype was demonstrated upon HMGCR expression in MCF-7 cells, characterized by expression of the pluripotency markers NANOG, SOX2, increased CD44 +/CD24low/ -, CD133 + populations, and increased mammosphere formation ability. Pluripotent and cancer stem cell lines showed high expression of HMGCR, whereas cell reprogramming of MCF-7 cells did not increase HMGCR expression. CONCLUSION HMGCR induces a stem-like phenotype in BC cells of epithelial nature, thus affecting tumor initiation, progression and statin sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Paula Marks
- Laboratorio de Células Madre/Stem Cells Lab (IBYME), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, Vuelta de Obligado 2490, CP 1428, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carla Alejandra Giménez
- Instituto de Ciencias Básicas y Medicina Experimental, Instituto Universitario del Hospital Italiano, Potosí 4265, C1199ACL, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- CASPR Biotech, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- CASPR Biotech, San Francisco, USA
| | - Luciana Isaja
- Laboratorio de Investigación Aplicada a Las Neurociencias (LIAN), Fundación Para La Lucha Contra Las Enfermedades Neurológicas de La Infancia (FLENI), Ruta 9, Km 53, B1625, Buenos Aires, Escobar, Argentina
| | - Mariana Belén Vera
- Laboratorio de Investigación Aplicada a Las Neurociencias (LIAN), Fundación Para La Lucha Contra Las Enfermedades Neurológicas de La Infancia (FLENI), Ruta 9, Km 53, B1625, Buenos Aires, Escobar, Argentina
| | - Francisco Raúl Borzone
- Laboratorio de Células Madre/Stem Cells Lab (IBYME), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, Vuelta de Obligado 2490, CP 1428, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Federico Pereyra-Bonnet
- Instituto de Ciencias Básicas y Medicina Experimental, Instituto Universitario del Hospital Italiano, Potosí 4265, C1199ACL, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- CASPR Biotech, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- CASPR Biotech, San Francisco, USA
| | - Leonardo Romorini
- Laboratorio de Investigación Aplicada a Las Neurociencias (LIAN), Fundación Para La Lucha Contra Las Enfermedades Neurológicas de La Infancia (FLENI), Ruta 9, Km 53, B1625, Buenos Aires, Escobar, Argentina
| | - Guillermo Agustín Videla-Richardson
- Laboratorio de Investigación Aplicada a Las Neurociencias (LIAN), Fundación Para La Lucha Contra Las Enfermedades Neurológicas de La Infancia (FLENI), Ruta 9, Km 53, B1625, Buenos Aires, Escobar, Argentina
| | - Norma Alejandra Chasseing
- Laboratorio de Células Madre/Stem Cells Lab (IBYME), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, Vuelta de Obligado 2490, CP 1428, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Laboratorio de Inmunohematología, (IBYME), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, Vuelta de Obligado 2490, CP 1428, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Juan Carlos Calvo
- Laboratorio de Células Madre/Stem Cells Lab (IBYME), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, Vuelta de Obligado 2490, CP 1428, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Luciano Vellón
- Laboratorio de Células Madre/Stem Cells Lab (IBYME), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, Vuelta de Obligado 2490, CP 1428, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Li Y, He C, Liu R, Xiao Z, Sun B. Stem cells therapy for diabetes: from past to future. Cytotherapy 2023; 25:1125-1138. [PMID: 37256240 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2023.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease of carbohydrate metabolism characterized by uncontrolled hyperglycemia due to the body's impaired ability to produce or respond to insulin. Oral or injectable exogenous insulin and its analogs cannot mimic endogenous insulin secreted by healthy individuals, and pancreatic and islet transplants face a severe shortage of sources and transplant complications, all of which limit the widespread use of traditional strategies in diabetes treatment. We are now in the era of stem cells and their potential in ameliorating human disease. At the same time, the rapid development of gene editing and cell-encapsulation technologies has added to the wings of stem cell therapy. However, there are still many unanswered questions before stem cell therapy can be applied clinically to patients with diabetes. In this review, we discuss the progress of strategies to obtain insulin-producing cells from different types of stem cells, the application of gene editing in stem cell therapy for diabetes, as well as summarize the current advanced cell encapsulation technologies in diabetes therapy and look forward to the future development of stem cell therapy in diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yumin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Cong He
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, China; Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital,The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Rui Liu
- Department of Genetic Engineering, College of Natural Science, University of Suwon, Kyunggi-Do, Republic of Korea
| | - Zhongdang Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Bo Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, China.
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Bendixen L, Jensen TI, Bak RO. CRISPR-Cas-mediated transcriptional modulation: The therapeutic promises of CRISPRa and CRISPRi. Mol Ther 2023; 31:1920-1937. [PMID: 36964659 PMCID: PMC10362391 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2023.03.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The CRISPR-Cas system is commonly known for its ability to cleave DNA in a programmable manner, which has democratized gene editing and facilitated recent breakthroughs in gene therapy. However, newer iterations of the technology using nuclease-disabled Cas enzymes have spurred a variety of different types of genetic engineering platforms such as transcriptional modulation using the CRISPR activation (CRISPRa) and CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) systems. This review introduces the creation of these programmable transcriptional modulators, various methods of delivery utilized for these systems, and recent technological developments. CRISPRa and CRISPRi have also been implemented in genetic screens for interrogating gene function and discovering genes involved in various biological pathways. We describe recent compelling examples of how these tools have become powerful means to unravel genetic networks and uncovering important information about devastating diseases. Finally, we provide an overview of preclinical studies in which transcriptional modulation has been used therapeutically, and we discuss potential future directions of these novel modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Bendixen
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Trine I Jensen
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Rasmus O Bak
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
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5
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Cheng Y, Wang H, Li M. The promise of CRISPR/Cas9 technology in diabetes mellitus therapy: How gene editing is revolutionizing diabetes research and treatment. J Diabetes Complications 2023; 37:108524. [PMID: 37295292 DOI: 10.1016/j.jdiacomp.2023.108524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease, characterized by chronic hyperglycemia caused by an abnormality in insulin secretion or action. Millions of people across the world are affected by diabetes mellitus which has serious implications for their health. Over the past few decades, diabetes has become a major cause of mortality and morbidity across the world due to its rapid prevalence. Treatment for diabetes that focuses on insulin secretion and sensitization can lead to unwanted side effects and/or poor compliance, as well as treatment failure. A promising way to treat diabetes is through gene-editing technologies such as clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR/Cas9). However, issues such as efficiency and off-target effects have hindered the use of these technologies. In this review, we summarize what we know today about CRISPR/Cas9 technology's therapeutic potential for treating diabetes. We discuss how different strategies are employed, including cell-based therapies (such as stem cells and brown adipocytes), targeting critical genes involved in diabetes pathogenesis, and discussing the challenges and limitations associated with this technology. A novel and powerful treatment approach to diabetes and other diseases can be found with CRISPR/Cas9 technology, and further research should be carried out in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Cheng
- Department of Endocrinology, the Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130000, China
| | - Haiyang Wang
- Department of Endocrinology, the Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130000, China
| | - Mo Li
- Department of Endocrinology, the Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130000, China.
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6
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Lee MH, Thomas JL, Lin CY, Li YCE, Lin HY. Activation of Insulin Gene Expression via Transfection of a CRISPR/dCas9a System Using Magnetic Peptide-Imprinted Nanoparticles. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15041311. [PMID: 37111797 PMCID: PMC10144049 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15041311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
A CRISPRa transcription activation system was used to upregulate insulin expression in HEK293T cells. To increase the delivery of the targeted CRISPR/dCas9a, magnetic chitosan nanoparticles, imprinted with a peptide from the Cas9 protein, were developed, characterized, and then bound to dCas9a that was complexed with a guide RNA (gRNA). The adsorption of dCas9 proteins conjugated with activators (SunTag, VPR, and p300) to the nanoparticles was monitored using both ELISA kits and Cas9 staining. Finally, the nanoparticles were used to deliver dCas9a that was complexed with a synthetic gRNA into HEK293T cells to activate their insulin gene expression. Delivery and gene expression were examined using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and staining of insulin. Finally, the long-term release of insulin and the cellular pathway related to stimulation by glucose were also investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei-Hwa Lee
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung 84001, Taiwan
| | - James L Thomas
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Chien-Yu Lin
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National University of Kaohsiung, Kaohsiung 81148, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Chen Ethan Li
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Feng Chia University, Taichung 40724, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Yin Lin
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National University of Kaohsiung, Kaohsiung 81148, Taiwan
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7
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Abstract
The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) renaissance was catalysed by the discovery that RNA-guided prokaryotic CRISPR-associated (Cas) proteins can create targeted double-strand breaks in mammalian genomes. This finding led to the development of CRISPR systems that harness natural DNA repair mechanisms to repair deficient genes more easily and precisely than ever before. CRISPR has been used to knock out harmful mutant genes and to fix errors in coding sequences to rescue disease phenotypes in preclinical studies and in several clinical trials. However, most genetic disorders result from combinations of mutations, deletions and duplications in the coding and non-coding regions of the genome and therefore require sophisticated genome engineering strategies beyond simple gene knockout. To overcome this limitation, the toolbox of natural and engineered CRISPR-Cas systems has been dramatically expanded to include diverse tools that function in human cells for precise genome editing and epigenome engineering. The application of CRISPR technology to edit the non-coding genome, modulate gene regulation, make precise genetic changes and target infectious diseases has the potential to lead to curative therapies for many previously untreatable diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Chavez
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Xinyi Chen
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Paul B Finn
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Lei S Qi
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Sarafan ChEM-H, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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8
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Yang P, Qiao Y, Meng M, Zhou Q. Cancer/Testis Antigens as Biomarker and Target for the Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Therapy of Lung Cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:864159. [PMID: 35574342 PMCID: PMC9092596 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.864159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is the leading type of malignant tumour among cancer-caused death worldwide, and the 5-year survival rate of lung cancer patients is only 18%. Various oncogenes are abnormally overexpressed in lung cancer, including cancer/testis antigens (CTAs), which are restrictively expressed in the male testis but are hardly expressed in other normal tissues, if at all. CTAs are aberrantly overexpressed in various types of cancer, with more than 60 CTAs abnormally overexpressed in lung cancer. Overexpression of oncogenic CTAs drives the initiation, metastasis and progression of lung cancer, and is closely associated with poor prognosis in cancer patients. Several CTAs, such as XAGE, SPAG9 and AKAP4, have been considered as biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognostic prediction of lung cancer. More interestingly, due to the high immunogenicity and specificity of CTAs in cancer, several CTAs, including CT45, BCAP31 and ACTL8, have been targeted for developing novel therapeutics against cancer. CTA-based vaccines, chimeric antigen receptor-modified T cells (CAR-T) and small molecules have been used in lung cancer treatment in pre-clinical and early clinical trials, with encouraging results being obtained. However, there are still many hurdles to be overcome before these therapeutics can be routinely used in clinical lung cancer therapy. This review summarises the recent rapid progress in oncogenic CTAs, focusing on CTAs as biomarkers for lung cancer diagnosis and prognostic prediction, and as targets for novel anti-cancer drug discovery and lung cancer therapy. We also identify challenges and opportunities in CTA-based cancer diagnosis and treatment. Finally, we provide perspectives on the mechanisms of oncogenic CTAs in lung cancer development, and we also suggest CTAs as a new platform for lung cancer diagnosis, prognostic prediction, and novel anti-cancer drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Yang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Yingnan Qiao
- Cyrus Tang Hematology Center, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Mei Meng
- Cyrus Tang Hematology Center, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Quansheng Zhou
- Cyrus Tang Hematology Center, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, Soochow University, Suzhou, China.,State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Soochow University, Suzhou, China.,2011 Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow University, Suzhou, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
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9
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Current advances and future prospects in production of recombinant insulin and other proteins to treat diabetes mellitus. Biotechnol Lett 2022; 44:643-669. [DOI: 10.1007/s10529-022-03247-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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10
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Lee MH, Shin JI, Yang JW, Lee KH, Cha DH, Hong JB, Park Y, Choi E, Tizaoui K, Koyanagi A, Jacob L, Park S, Kim JH, Smith L. Genome Editing Using CRISPR-Cas9 and Autoimmune Diseases: A Comprehensive Review. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:1337. [PMID: 35163260 PMCID: PMC8835887 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune diseases are disorders that destruct or disrupt the body's own tissues by its own immune system. Several studies have revealed that polymorphisms of multiple genes are involved in autoimmune diseases. Meanwhile, gene therapy has become a promising approach in autoimmune diseases, and clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats and CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR-Cas9) has become one of the most prominent methods. It has been shown that CRISPR-Cas9 can be applied to knock out proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) or block PCSK9, resulting in lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. In other studies, it can be used to treat rare diseases such as ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) deficiency and hereditary tyrosinemia. However, few studies on the treatment of autoimmune disease using CRISPR-Cas9 have been reported so far. In this review, we highlight the current and potential use of CRISPR-Cas9 in the management of autoimmune diseases. We summarize the potential target genes for immunomodulation using CRISPR-Cas9 in autoimmune diseases including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), multiple sclerosis (MS), type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM), psoriasis, and type 1 coeliac disease. This article will give a new perspective on understanding the use of CRISPR-Cas9 in autoimmune diseases not only through animal models but also in human models. Emerging approaches to investigate the potential target genes for CRISPR-Cas9 treatment may be promising for the tailored immunomodulation of some autoimmune diseases in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Ho Lee
- Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea; (M.H.L.); (D.H.C.); (J.B.H.); (Y.P.); (E.C.); (S.P.)
| | - Jae Il Shin
- Department of Pediatrics, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea; (J.I.S.); (K.H.L.)
| | - Jae Won Yang
- Department of Nephrology, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju 26426, Korea;
| | - Keum Hwa Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea; (J.I.S.); (K.H.L.)
| | - Do Hyeon Cha
- Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea; (M.H.L.); (D.H.C.); (J.B.H.); (Y.P.); (E.C.); (S.P.)
- Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology, Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Jun Beom Hong
- Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea; (M.H.L.); (D.H.C.); (J.B.H.); (Y.P.); (E.C.); (S.P.)
| | - Yeoeun Park
- Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea; (M.H.L.); (D.H.C.); (J.B.H.); (Y.P.); (E.C.); (S.P.)
| | - Eugene Choi
- Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea; (M.H.L.); (D.H.C.); (J.B.H.); (Y.P.); (E.C.); (S.P.)
| | - Kalthoum Tizaoui
- Laboratory Microorganismes and Active Biomolecules, Sciences Faculty of Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1068, Tunisia;
| | - Ai Koyanagi
- Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Deu/CIBERSAM, Universitat de Barcelona, Fundacio Sant Joan de Deu, Sant Boi de Llobregat, 08830 Barcelona, Spain; (A.K.); (L.J.)
- ICREA, Pg. LluisCompanys 23, 08010 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Louis Jacob
- Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Deu/CIBERSAM, Universitat de Barcelona, Fundacio Sant Joan de Deu, Sant Boi de Llobregat, 08830 Barcelona, Spain; (A.K.); (L.J.)
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, 78180 Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France
| | - Seoyeon Park
- Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea; (M.H.L.); (D.H.C.); (J.B.H.); (Y.P.); (E.C.); (S.P.)
| | - Ji Hong Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 06273, Korea
| | - Lee Smith
- Centre for Health, Performance, and Wellbeing, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge CB1 1PT, UK;
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Chakravarti R, Lenka SK, Gautam A, Singh R, Ravichandiran V, Roy S, Ghosh D. A Review on CRISPR-Mediated Epigenome Editing: A Future Directive for Therapeutic Management of Cancer. Curr Drug Targets 2022; 23:836-853. [DOI: 10.2174/1389450123666220117105531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Abstract:
Recent studies have shed light on the role of epigenetic marks in certain diseases like cancer, type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM), obesity, and cardiovascular dysfunction, to name a few. Epigenetic marks like DNA methylation and histone acetylation are randomly altered in the disease state. It has been seen that methylation of DNA and histones can result in down-regulation of gene expression, whereas histone acetylation, ubiquitination, and phosphorylation are linked to enhanced expression of genes. How can we precisely target such epigenetic aberrations to prevent the advent of diseases? The answer lies in the amalgamation of the efficient genome editing technique, CRISPR, with certain effector molecules that can alter the status of epigenetic marks as well as employ certain transcriptional activators or repressors. In this review, we have discussed the rationale of epigenetic editing as a therapeutic strategy and how CRISPR-Cas9 technology coupled with epigenetic effector tags can efficiently edit epigenetic targets. In the later part, we have discussed how certain epigenetic effectors are tagged with dCas9 to elicit epigenetic changes in cancer. Increased interest in exploring the epigenetic background of cancer and non-communicable diseases like type II diabetes mellitus and obesity accompanied with technological breakthroughs has made it possible to perform large-scale epigenome studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rudra Chakravarti
- Department of Natural Products, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Kolkata, India
| | - Swadhin Kumar Lenka
- Department of Natural Products, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Kolkata, India
| | - Anupam Gautam
- Institute for Bioinformatics and Medical Informatics, University of Tübingen, Sand 14, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Rajveer Singh
- Department of Natural Products, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Kolkata, India
| | - Velayutham Ravichandiran
- Department of Natural Products, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Kolkata, India
| | - Syamal Roy
- CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Jadavpur, Kolkata, India
| | - Dipanjan Ghosh
- Department of Natural Products, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Kolkata, India
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Sledzinski P, Dabrowska M, Nowaczyk M, Olejniczak M. Paving the way towards precise and safe CRISPR genome editing. Biotechnol Adv 2021; 49:107737. [PMID: 33785374 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2021.107737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Revised: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
As the possibilities of CRISPR-Cas9 technology have been revealed, we have entered a new era of research aimed at increasing its specificity and safety. This stage of technology development is necessary not only for its wider application in the clinic but also in basic research to better control the process of genome editing. Research during the past eight years has identified some factors influencing editing outcomes and led to the development of highly specific endonucleases, modified guide RNAs and computational tools supporting experiments. More recently, large-scale experiments revealed a previously overlooked feature: Cas9 can generate reproducible mutation patterns. As a result, it has become apparent that Cas9-induced double-strand break (DSB) repair is nonrandom and can be predicted to some extent. Here, we review the present state of knowledge regarding the specificity and safety of CRISPR-Cas9 technology to define gRNA, protein and target-related problems and solutions. These issues include sequence-specific off-target effects, immune responses, genetic variation and chromatin accessibility. We present new insights into the role of DNA repair in genome editing and define factors influencing editing outcomes. In addition, we propose practical guidelines for increasing the specificity of editing and discuss novel perspectives in improvement of this technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pawel Sledzinski
- Department of Genome Engineering, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704, Poland
| | - Magdalena Dabrowska
- Department of Genome Engineering, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704, Poland
| | - Mateusz Nowaczyk
- Department of Genome Engineering, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704, Poland
| | - Marta Olejniczak
- Department of Genome Engineering, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704, Poland.
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13
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Alves E, Taifour S, Dolcetti R, Chee J, Nowak AK, Gaudieri S, Blancafort P. Reprogramming the anti-tumor immune response via CRISPR genetic and epigenetic editing. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2021; 21:592-606. [PMID: 34095343 PMCID: PMC8142043 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2021.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Precise clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-mediated genetic and epigenetic manipulation of the immune response has become a promising immunotherapeutic approach toward combating tumorigenesis and tumor progression. CRISPR-based immunologic reprograming in cancer therapy comprises the locus-specific enhancement of host immunity, the improvement of tumor immunogenicity, and the suppression of tumor immunoevasion. To date, the ex vivo re-engineering of immune cells directed to inhibit the expression of immune checkpoints or to express synthetic immune receptors (chimeric antigen receptor therapy) has shown success in some settings, such as in the treatment of melanoma, lymphoma, liver, and lung cancer. However, advancements in nuclease-deactivated CRISPR-associated nuclease-9 (dCas9)-mediated transcriptional activation or repression and Cas13-directed gene suppression present novel avenues for the development of tumor immunotherapies. In this review, the basis for development, mechanism of action, and outcomes from recently published Cas9-based clinical trial (genetic editing) and dCas9/Cas13-based pre-clinical (epigenetic editing) data are discussed. Lastly, we review cancer immunotherapy-specific considerations and barriers surrounding use of these approaches in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Alves
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, The Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Shahama Taifour
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, The Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Riccardo Dolcetti
- Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Centre for Cancer Immunotherapy, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Jonathan Chee
- National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases, Institute of Respiratory Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Anna K. Nowak
- National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases, Institute of Respiratory Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
- School of Medicine, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Silvana Gaudieri
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
- Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Murdoch University, Perth, WA 6150, Australia
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Pilar Blancafort
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, The Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
- The Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
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14
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Kazi TA, Biswas SR. CRISPR/dCas system as the modulator of gene expression. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2021; 178:99-122. [PMID: 33685602 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2020.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
CRISPR/Cas has been a very exciting field of research because of its multifaceted applications in biological science for editing genome. This tool can be programmed to target any region of DNA of choice by designing gRNA. The potential of gRNA to recruit a CRISPR-associated protein at a specific genomic site allowed scientists to engineer genome of diverse species for research and development. The application of Cas9 has been further expanded with a recently developed catalytically inactive protein (dead Cas9). CRISPR/dCas system is widely used as a programmable vector to deliver functional cargo (transcriptional effectors) to the desired sites at the genome for targeted transcriptional repression (CRISPR interference, CRISPRi) or activation (CRISPR activation, CRISPRa). It is now possible to regulate gene expression in cells without altering the DNA sequence. These CRISPRi/a toolboxes have explored many unsolved biological issues. Further research on CRISPR system could help diagnose and treat various human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tawsif Ahmed Kazi
- Department of Botany, Visva-Bharati, Santiniketan, West Bengal, India
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15
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González-Serna D, Villanueva-Martin G, Acosta-Herrera M, Márquez A, Martín J. Approaching Shared Pathophysiology in Immune-Mediated Diseases through Functional Genomics. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:E1482. [PMID: 33317201 PMCID: PMC7762979 DOI: 10.3390/genes11121482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune-mediated diseases (IMDs) are complex pathologies that are strongly influenced by environmental and genetic factors. Associations between genetic loci and susceptibility to these diseases have been widely studied, and hundreds of risk variants have emerged during the last two decades, with researchers observing a shared genetic pattern among them. Nevertheless, the pathological mechanism behind these associations remains a challenge that has just started to be understood thanks to functional genomic approaches. Transcriptomics, regulatory elements, chromatin interactome, as well as the experimental characterization of genomic findings, constitute key elements in the emerging understandings of how genetics affects the etiopathogenesis of IMDs. In this review, we will focus on the latest advances in the field of functional genomics, centering our attention on systemic rheumatic IMDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- David González-Serna
- Institute of Parasitology and Biomedicine López-Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IPBLN-CSIC), 18016 Granada, Spain; (D.G.-S.); (G.V.-M.); (M.A.-H.); (A.M.)
| | - Gonzalo Villanueva-Martin
- Institute of Parasitology and Biomedicine López-Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IPBLN-CSIC), 18016 Granada, Spain; (D.G.-S.); (G.V.-M.); (M.A.-H.); (A.M.)
| | - Marialbert Acosta-Herrera
- Institute of Parasitology and Biomedicine López-Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IPBLN-CSIC), 18016 Granada, Spain; (D.G.-S.); (G.V.-M.); (M.A.-H.); (A.M.)
| | - Ana Márquez
- Institute of Parasitology and Biomedicine López-Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IPBLN-CSIC), 18016 Granada, Spain; (D.G.-S.); (G.V.-M.); (M.A.-H.); (A.M.)
- Systemic Autoimmune Disease Unit, Hospital Clínico San Cecilio, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, 18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Javier Martín
- Institute of Parasitology and Biomedicine López-Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IPBLN-CSIC), 18016 Granada, Spain; (D.G.-S.); (G.V.-M.); (M.A.-H.); (A.M.)
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16
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Ghoneim MA, Refaie AF, Elbassiouny BL, Gabr MM, Zakaria MM. From Mesenchymal Stromal/Stem Cells to Insulin-Producing Cells: Progress and Challenges. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2020; 16:1156-1172. [PMID: 32880857 PMCID: PMC7667138 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-020-10036-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are an attractive option for cell therapy for type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM). These cells can be obtained from many sources, but bone marrow and adipose tissue are the most studied. MSCs have distinct advantages since they are nonteratogenic, nonimmunogenic and have immunomodulatory functions. Insulin-producing cells (IPCs) can be generated from MSCs by gene transfection, gene editing or directed differentiation. For directed differentiation, MSCs are usually cultured in a glucose-rich medium with various growth and activation factors. The resulting IPCs can control chemically-induced diabetes in immune-deficient mice. These findings are comparable to those obtained from pluripotent cells. PD-L1 and PD-L2 expression by MSCs is upregulated under inflammatory conditions. Immunomodulation occurs due to the interaction between these ligands and PD-1 receptors on T lymphocytes. If this function is maintained after differentiation, life-long immunosuppression or encapsulation could be avoided. In the clinical setting, two sites can be used for transplantation of IPCs: the subcutaneous tissue and the omentum. A 2-stage procedure is required for the former and a laparoscopic procedure for the latter. For either site, cells should be transplanted within a scaffold, preferably one from fibrin. Several questions remain unanswered. Will the transplanted cells be affected by the antibodies involved in the pathogenesis of type 1 DM? What is the functional longevity of these cells following their transplantation? These issues have to be addressed before clinical translation is attempted. Graphical Abstract Bone marrow MSCs are isolated from the long bone of SD rats. Then they are expanded and through directed differentiation insulin-producing cells are formed. The differentiated cells are loaded onto a collagen scaffold. If one-stage transplantation is planned, a drug delivery system must be incorporated to ensure immediate oxygenation, promote vascularization and provide some growth factors. Some mechanisms involved in the immunomodulatory function of MSCs. These are implemented either by cell to cell contact or by the release of soluble factors. Collectively, these pathways results in an increase in T-regulatory cells.
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17
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Hu M, Cherkaoui I, Misra S, Rutter GA. Functional Genomics in Pancreatic β Cells: Recent Advances in Gene Deletion and Genome Editing Technologies for Diabetes Research. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020; 11:576632. [PMID: 33162936 PMCID: PMC7580382 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.576632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The inheritance of variants that lead to coding changes in, or the mis-expression of, genes critical to pancreatic beta cell function can lead to alterations in insulin secretion and increase the risk of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Recently developed clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR/Cas9) gene editing tools provide a powerful means of understanding the impact of identified variants on cell function, growth, and survival and might ultimately provide a means, most likely after the transplantation of genetically "corrected" cells, of treating the disease. Here, we review some of the disease-associated genes and variants whose roles have been probed up to now. Next, we survey recent exciting developments in CRISPR/Cas9 technology and their possible exploitation for β cell functional genomics. Finally, we will provide a perspective as to how CRISPR/Cas9 technology may find clinical application in patients with diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Hu
- Section of Cell Biology and Functional Genomics, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ines Cherkaoui
- Section of Cell Biology and Functional Genomics, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Shivani Misra
- Metabolic Medicine, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Guy A. Rutter
- Section of Cell Biology and Functional Genomics, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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18
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Gharbavi M, Sharafi A, Ghanbarzadeh S. Mesenchymal Stem Cells: A New Generation of Therapeutic Agents as Vehicles in Gene Therapy. Curr Gene Ther 2020; 20:269-284. [PMID: 32515309 DOI: 10.2174/1566523220666200607190339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Revised: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) as a new tool for therapeutic gene delivery in clinics have attracted much attention. Their advantages cover longer lifespan, better isolation, and higher transfection efficiency and proliferation rate. MSCs are the preferred approach for cell-based therapies because of their in vitro self-renewal capacity, migrating especially to tumor tissues, as well as anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. Therefore, they have considerable efficiency in genetic engineering for future clinical applications in cancer gene therapy and other diseases. For improving therapeutic efficiency, targeted therapy of cancers can be achieved through the sustained release of therapeutic agents and functional gene expression induction to the intended tissues. The development of a new vector in gene therapy can improve the durability of a transgene expression. Also, the safety of the vector, if administered systemically, may resolve several problems, such as durability of expression and the host immune response. Currently, MSCs are prominent candidates as cell vehicles for both preclinical and clinical trials due to the secretion of therapeutic agents in several cancers. In the present study, we discuss the status of gene therapy in both viral and non-viral vectors along with their limitations. Throughout this study, the use of several nano-carriers for gene therapy is also investigated. Finally, we critically discuss the promising advantages of MSCs in targeted gene delivery, tumor inhibition and their utilization as the gene carriers in clinical situations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud Gharbavi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biomaterials, School of Pharmacy, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan,
Iran,Cancer Gene Therapy Research Center, School of Pharmacy, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan,
Iran,Zanjan Applied Pharmacology Research Center, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Ali Sharafi
- Zanjan Applied Pharmacology Research Center, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran,Zanjan Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Research Center, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Saeed Ghanbarzadeh
- Cancer Gene Therapy Research Center, School of Pharmacy, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan,
Iran,Zanjan Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology Research Center and Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
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19
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Mohammadzadeh I, Qujeq D, Yousefi T, Ferns GA, Maniati M, Vaghari-Tabari M. CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing: A new therapeutic approach in the treatment of infection and autoimmunity. IUBMB Life 2020; 72:1603-1621. [PMID: 32344465 DOI: 10.1002/iub.2296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Revised: 04/12/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
CRISPR/Cas9 (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated protein9) may be viewed as an adaptive bacterial immune system. When a virus infects a bacterium, a fragment of the virus genome is inserted into the CRISPR sequence of the bacterial genome as a memory. When the bacterium becomes infected again with the same virus, an RNA molecule that is a transcript of the memory sequence, directs Cas9, an endonuclease, to the complementary region of the virus genome, and Cas9 disables the virus by a double-strand break. In recent years, studies have shown that by designing synthetic RNA molecules and delivering them along with Cas9 into eukaryotic cells, different regions of the cell's genome can be targeted and manipulated. These findings have drawn much attention to this new technology and it has been shown that CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing can be used to treat some human diseases. These include infectious diseases and autoimmune diseases. In this review article, in addition to a brief overview of the biology of the CRISPR/Cas9 system, we collected the most recent findings on the applications of CRISPR/Cas9 technology for better investigation of the pathogenesis and treatment of viral infections (human immunodeficiency virus infection, hepatitis virus infections, and onco-virus infections), non-viral infections (parasitic, fungal, and bacterial infections), and autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iraj Mohammadzadeh
- Non-Communicable Pediatric Diseases Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Durdi Qujeq
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center (CMBRC), Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.,Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Tooba Yousefi
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Gordon A Ferns
- Department of Medical Education, Brighton & Sussex Medical School, Brighton, UK
| | - Mahmood Maniati
- English Department, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Mostafa Vaghari-Tabari
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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20
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Schoger E, Carroll KJ, Iyer LM, McAnally JR, Tan W, Liu N, Noack C, Shomroni O, Salinas G, Groß J, Herzog N, Doroudgar S, Bassel-Duby R, Zimmermann WH, Zelarayán LC. CRISPR-Mediated Activation of Endogenous Gene Expression in the Postnatal Heart. Circ Res 2020; 126:6-24. [PMID: 31730408 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.118.314522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Genome editing by CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats)/Cas9 is evolving rapidly. Recently, second-generation CRISPR/Cas9 activation systems based on nuclease inactive dead (d)Cas9 fused to transcriptional transactivation domains were developed for directing specific guide (g)RNAs to regulatory regions of any gene of interest, to enhance transcription. The application of dCas9 to activate cardiomyocyte transcription in targeted genomic loci in vivo has not been demonstrated so far. OBJECTIVE We aimed to develop a mouse model for cardiomyocyte-specific, CRISPR-mediated transcriptional modulation, and to demonstrate its versatility by targeting Mef2d and Klf15 loci (2 well-characterized genes implicated in cardiac hypertrophy and homeostasis) for enhanced transcription. METHODS AND RESULTS A mouse model expressing dCas9 with the VPR transcriptional transactivation domains under the control of the Myh (myosin heavy chain) 6 promoter was generated. These mice innocuously expressed dCas9 exclusively in cardiomyocytes. For initial proof-of-concept, we selected Mef2d, which when overexpressed, led to hypertrophy and heart failure, and Klf15, which is lowly expressed in the neonatal heart. The most effective gRNAs were first identified in fibroblast (C3H/10T1/2) and myoblast (C2C12) cell lines. Using an improved triple gRNA expression system (TRISPR [triple gRNA expression construct]), up to 3 different gRNAs were transduced simultaneously to identify optimal conditions for transcriptional activation. For in vivo delivery of the validated gRNA combinations, we employed systemic administration via adeno-associated virus serotype 9. On gRNA delivery targeting Mef2d expression, we recapitulated the anticipated cardiac hypertrophy phenotype. Using gRNA targeting Klf15, we could enhance its transcription significantly, although Klf15 is physiologically silenced at that time point. We further confirmed specific and robust dCas9VPR on-target effects. CONCLUSIONS The developed mouse model permits enhancement of gene expression by using endogenous regulatory genomic elements. Proof-of-concept in 2 independent genomic loci suggests versatile applications in controlling transcription in cardiomyocytes of the postnatal heart.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Schoger
- From the Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology (E.S., L.M.I., C.N., W.-H.Z., L.C.Z.), University Medical Center Goettingen, Georg-August University, Germany
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research) Partner Site Goettingen, Germany (E.S., L.M.I., C.N., W.-H.Z., L.C.Z.)
| | - Kelli J Carroll
- Department of Molecular Biology and the Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas (K.J.C., J.R.M., W.T., N.L., R.B.-D.)
| | - Lavanya M Iyer
- From the Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology (E.S., L.M.I., C.N., W.-H.Z., L.C.Z.), University Medical Center Goettingen, Georg-August University, Germany
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research) Partner Site Goettingen, Germany (E.S., L.M.I., C.N., W.-H.Z., L.C.Z.)
| | - John R McAnally
- Department of Molecular Biology and the Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas (K.J.C., J.R.M., W.T., N.L., R.B.-D.)
| | - Wei Tan
- Department of Molecular Biology and the Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas (K.J.C., J.R.M., W.T., N.L., R.B.-D.)
| | - Ning Liu
- Department of Molecular Biology and the Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas (K.J.C., J.R.M., W.T., N.L., R.B.-D.)
| | - Claudia Noack
- From the Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology (E.S., L.M.I., C.N., W.-H.Z., L.C.Z.), University Medical Center Goettingen, Georg-August University, Germany
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research) Partner Site Goettingen, Germany (E.S., L.M.I., C.N., W.-H.Z., L.C.Z.)
| | - Orr Shomroni
- NGS-Integrative Genomics (NIG) Institute Human Genetics (O.S., G.S.), University Medical Center Goettingen, Georg-August University, Germany
| | - Gabriela Salinas
- NGS-Integrative Genomics (NIG) Institute Human Genetics (O.S., G.S.), University Medical Center Goettingen, Georg-August University, Germany
| | - Julia Groß
- Department of Internal Medicine III (Cardiology, Angiology, and Pneumology), Heidelberg University Hospital, Germany (J.G., N.H., S.D.)
| | - Nicole Herzog
- Department of Internal Medicine III (Cardiology, Angiology, and Pneumology), Heidelberg University Hospital, Germany (J.G., N.H., S.D.)
| | - Shirin Doroudgar
- Department of Internal Medicine III (Cardiology, Angiology, and Pneumology), Heidelberg University Hospital, Germany (J.G., N.H., S.D.)
| | - Rhonda Bassel-Duby
- Department of Molecular Biology and the Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas (K.J.C., J.R.M., W.T., N.L., R.B.-D.)
| | - Wolfram-H Zimmermann
- From the Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology (E.S., L.M.I., C.N., W.-H.Z., L.C.Z.), University Medical Center Goettingen, Georg-August University, Germany
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research) Partner Site Goettingen, Germany (E.S., L.M.I., C.N., W.-H.Z., L.C.Z.)
| | - Laura C Zelarayán
- From the Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology (E.S., L.M.I., C.N., W.-H.Z., L.C.Z.), University Medical Center Goettingen, Georg-August University, Germany
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research) Partner Site Goettingen, Germany (E.S., L.M.I., C.N., W.-H.Z., L.C.Z.)
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21
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Brezgin S, Kostyusheva A, Kostyushev D, Chulanov V. Dead Cas Systems: Types, Principles, and Applications. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E6041. [PMID: 31801211 PMCID: PMC6929090 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20236041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The gene editing tool CRISPR-Cas has become the foundation for developing numerous molecular systems used in research and, increasingly, in medical practice. In particular, Cas proteins devoid of nucleolytic activity (dead Cas proteins; dCas) can be used to deliver functional cargo to programmed sites in the genome. In this review, we describe current CRISPR systems used for developing different dCas-based molecular approaches and summarize their most significant applications. We conclude with comments on the state-of-art in the CRISPR field and future directions.
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MESH Headings
- CRISPR-Associated Protein 9/genetics
- CRISPR-Associated Protein 9/metabolism
- CRISPR-Cas Systems
- Chromatin/chemistry
- Chromatin/metabolism
- Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats
- Communicable Diseases/genetics
- Communicable Diseases/metabolism
- Communicable Diseases/pathology
- Communicable Diseases/therapy
- DNA Methylation
- Epigenesis, Genetic
- Gene Editing/methods
- Genetic Diseases, Inborn/genetics
- Genetic Diseases, Inborn/metabolism
- Genetic Diseases, Inborn/pathology
- Genetic Diseases, Inborn/therapy
- Genome, Human
- Histones/genetics
- Histones/metabolism
- Humans
- Inflammation/genetics
- Inflammation/metabolism
- Inflammation/pathology
- Inflammation/therapy
- Neoplasms/genetics
- Neoplasms/metabolism
- Neoplasms/pathology
- Neoplasms/therapy
- RNA, Guide, CRISPR-Cas Systems/genetics
- RNA, Guide, CRISPR-Cas Systems/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergey Brezgin
- National Medical Research Center of Tuberculosis and Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Health, Moscow 127994, Russia; (S.B.); (A.K.); (V.C.)
- Institute of Immunology, Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow 115522, Russia
| | - Anastasiya Kostyusheva
- National Medical Research Center of Tuberculosis and Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Health, Moscow 127994, Russia; (S.B.); (A.K.); (V.C.)
| | - Dmitry Kostyushev
- National Medical Research Center of Tuberculosis and Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Health, Moscow 127994, Russia; (S.B.); (A.K.); (V.C.)
| | - Vladimir Chulanov
- National Medical Research Center of Tuberculosis and Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Health, Moscow 127994, Russia; (S.B.); (A.K.); (V.C.)
- Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119146, Russia
- Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, Moscow 111123, Russia
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22
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Shomali N, Gharibi T, Vahedi G, Mohammed RN, Mohammadi H, Salimifard S, Marofi F. Mesenchymal stem cells as carrier of the therapeutic agent in the gene therapy of blood disorders. J Cell Physiol 2019; 235:4120-4134. [PMID: 31691976 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.29324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Nonhematopoietic stem cells as a delivery platform of therapeutic useful genes have attracted widespread attention in recent years, owing to gained a long lifespan, easy separation, high proliferation, and high transfection capacity. Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) are the choice of the cells for gene and cell therapy due to high self-renewal capacity, high migration rate to the site of the tumor, and with immune suppressive and anti-inflammatory properties. Hence, it has a high potential of safety genetic modification of MSCs for antitumor gene expression and has paved the way for the clinical application of these cells to target the therapy of cancers and other diseases. The aim of gene therapy is targeted treatment of cancers and diseases through recovery, change, or enhancement cell performance to the sustained secretion of useful therapeutic proteins and induction expression of the functional gene in intended tissue. Recent developments in the vectors designing leading to the increase and durability of expression and improvement of the safety of the vectors that overcome a lot of problems, such as durability of expression and the host immune response. Nowadays, gene therapy approach is used by MSCs as a delivery vehicle in the preclinical and the clinical trials for the secretion of erythropoietin, recombinant antibodies, coagulation factors, cytokines, as well as angiogenic inhibitors in many blood disorders like anemia, hemophilia, and malignancies. In this study, we critically discuss the status of gene therapy by MSCs as a delivery vehicle for the treatment of blood disorders. Finally, the results of clinical trial studies are assessed, highlighting promising advantages of this emerging technology in the clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Navid Shomali
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Tohid Gharibi
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ghasem Vahedi
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Rebar N Mohammed
- Bone Marrow Transplant Center, Hiwa Cancer Hospital, Suleimanyah, Iraq.,Department of Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sulaimani, Suleimanyah, Iraq
| | - Hamed Mohammadi
- Non-Communicable Diseases Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
| | - Sevda Salimifard
- Department of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, School of Allied Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Faroogh Marofi
- Department of Hematology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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23
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Kretzmann JA, Evans CW, Moses C, Sorolla A, Kretzmann AL, Wang E, Ho D, Hackett MJ, Dessauvagie BF, Smith NM, Redfern AD, Waryah C, Norret M, Iyer KS, Blancafort P. Tumour suppression by targeted intravenous non-viral CRISPRa using dendritic polymers. Chem Sci 2019; 10:7718-7727. [PMID: 31588320 PMCID: PMC6761875 DOI: 10.1039/c9sc01432b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Accepted: 06/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
This article demonstrates a fully synthetic strategy enabling CRISPR-mediated activation of tumour suppressor genes in vivo to reduce tumour burden.
Aberrant gene expression is a hallmark of cancer. Although transcription is traditionally considered ‘undruggable’, the development of CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) systems offers enormous potential to rectify cancer-associated transcriptional abnormalities in malignant cells. However delivery of this technology presents a critical challenge to overcome in order to realize clinical translation for cancer therapy. In this article we demonstrate for the first time, a fully synthetic strategy to enable CRISPR-mediated activation (CRISPRa) of tumour suppressor genes in vivo using a targeted intravenous approach. We show this via highly efficient transcriptional activation of two model tumour suppressor genes, Mammary Serine Protease Inhibitor (MASPIN, SERPINB5) and cysteine-rich 61/connective tissue growth factor/nephroblastoma-overexpressed 6 (CCN6, WISP3), in a mouse model of breast cancer. In particular, we demonstrate that targeted intravenous delivery of can be achieved using a novel nanoscale dendritic macromolecular delivery agent, with negligible toxicity and long lasting therapeutic effects, outlining a targeted effective formulation with potential to treat aggressive malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica A Kretzmann
- School of Molecular Sciences , The University of Western Australia , 35 Stirling Hwy , Crawley , WA 6009 , Australia . .,Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research , 6 Verdun St , Nedlands , WA 6009 , Australia .
| | - Cameron W Evans
- School of Molecular Sciences , The University of Western Australia , 35 Stirling Hwy , Crawley , WA 6009 , Australia .
| | - Colette Moses
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research , 6 Verdun St , Nedlands , WA 6009 , Australia . .,School of Human Sciences , The University of Western Australia , 35 Stirling Hwy , Crawley , WA 6009 , Australia
| | - Anabel Sorolla
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research , 6 Verdun St , Nedlands , WA 6009 , Australia .
| | - Amy L Kretzmann
- School of Molecular Sciences , The University of Western Australia , 35 Stirling Hwy , Crawley , WA 6009 , Australia .
| | - Edina Wang
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research , 6 Verdun St , Nedlands , WA 6009 , Australia .
| | - Diwei Ho
- School of Molecular Sciences , The University of Western Australia , 35 Stirling Hwy , Crawley , WA 6009 , Australia .
| | - Mark J Hackett
- Curtin Institute for Functional Molecules and Interfaces , Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute , Department of Chemistry , Curtin University , Bentley , WA 6845 , Australia
| | - Benjamin F Dessauvagie
- Anatomical Pathology, PathWest Laboratory Medicine , Fiona Stanley Hospital , Murdoch , WA , Australia.,School of Medicine , The University of Western Australia , Crawley , WA , Australia
| | - Nicole M Smith
- School of Molecular Sciences , The University of Western Australia , 35 Stirling Hwy , Crawley , WA 6009 , Australia .
| | - Andrew D Redfern
- School of Medicine , The University of Western Australia , Crawley , WA , Australia
| | - Charlene Waryah
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research , 6 Verdun St , Nedlands , WA 6009 , Australia .
| | - Marck Norret
- School of Molecular Sciences , The University of Western Australia , 35 Stirling Hwy , Crawley , WA 6009 , Australia .
| | - K Swaminathan Iyer
- School of Molecular Sciences , The University of Western Australia , 35 Stirling Hwy , Crawley , WA 6009 , Australia .
| | - Pilar Blancafort
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research , 6 Verdun St , Nedlands , WA 6009 , Australia .
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24
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Pathak V, Pathak NM, O'Neill CL, Guduric-Fuchs J, Medina RJ. Therapies for Type 1 Diabetes: Current Scenario and Future Perspectives. CLINICAL MEDICINE INSIGHTS-ENDOCRINOLOGY AND DIABETES 2019; 12:1179551419844521. [PMID: 31105434 PMCID: PMC6501476 DOI: 10.1177/1179551419844521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is caused by autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing β cells located in the endocrine pancreas in areas known as islets of Langerhans. The current standard-of-care for T1D is exogenous insulin replacement therapy. Recent developments in this field include the hybrid closed-loop system for regulated insulin delivery and long-acting insulins. Clinical studies on prediction and prevention of diabetes-associated complications have demonstrated the importance of early treatment and glucose control for reducing the risk of developing diabetic complications. Transplantation of primary islets offers an effective approach for treating patients with T1D. However, this strategy is hampered by challenges such as the limited availability of islets, extensive death of islet cells, and poor vascular engraftment of islets post-transplantation. Accordingly, there are considerable efforts currently underway for enhancing islet transplantation efficiency by harnessing the beneficial actions of stem cells. This review will provide an overview of currently available therapeutic options for T1D, and discuss the growing evidence that supports the use of stem cell approaches to enhance therapeutic outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varun Pathak
- Centre for Experimental Medicine, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Nupur Madhur Pathak
- The SAAD Centre for Pharmacy and Diabetes, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ulster, Coleraine, United Kingdom
| | - Christina L O'Neill
- Centre for Experimental Medicine, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Jasenka Guduric-Fuchs
- Centre for Experimental Medicine, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Reinhold J Medina
- Centre for Experimental Medicine, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
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25
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Verkuijl SAN, Rots MG. The influence of eukaryotic chromatin state on CRISPR–Cas9 editing efficiencies. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2019; 55:68-73. [DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2018.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2018] [Revised: 07/15/2018] [Accepted: 07/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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26
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Navarro-Tableros V, Gomez Y, Brizzi MF, Camussi G. Generation of Human Stem Cell-Derived Pancreatic Organoids (POs) for Regenerative Medicine. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1212:179-220. [PMID: 31025308 DOI: 10.1007/5584_2019_340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus or type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is an auto-immune condition characterized by the loss of pancreatic β-cells. The curative approach for highly selected patients is the pancreas or the pancreatic islet transplantation. Nevertheless, these options are limited by a growing shortage of donor organs and by the requirement of immunosuppression.Xenotransplantation of porcine islets has been extensively investigated. Nevertheless, the strong xenoimmunity and the risk of transmission of porcine endogenous retroviruses, have limited their application in clinic. Generation of β-like cells from stem cells is one of the most promising strategies in regenerative medicine. Embryonic, and more recently, adult stem cells are currently the most promising cell sources exploited to generate functional β-cells in vitro. A number of studies demonstrated that stem cells could generate functional pancreatic organoids (POs), able to restore normoglycemia when implanted in different preclinical diabetic models. Nevertheless, a gradual loss of function and cell dead are commonly detected when POs are transplanted in immunocompetent animals. So far, the main issue to be solved is the post-transplanted islet loss, due to the host immune attack. To avoid this hurdle, nanotechnology has provided a number of polymers currently under investigation for islet micro and macro-encapsulation. These new approaches, besides conferring PO immune protection, are able to supply oxygen and nutrients and to preserve PO morphology and long-term viability.Herein, we summarize the current knowledge on bioengineered POs and the stem cell differentiation platforms. We also discuss the in vitro strategies used to generate functional POs, and the protocols currently used to confer immune-protection against the host immune attack (micro- and macro-encapsulation). In addition, the most relevant ongoing clinical trials, and the most relevant hurdles met to move towards clinical application are revised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Navarro-Tableros
- 2i3T Società per la gestione dell'incubatore di imprese e per il trasferimento tecnologico Scarl, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Yonathan Gomez
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni Camussi
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
- Fondazione per la Ricerca Biomedica-ONLUS, Turin, Italy.
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27
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Han S, Wei S, Wang X, Han X, Zhang M, Su M, Li Y, Guo J, Zeng W, Liu J, Gao Y, Shen L. Enhanced intrinsic CYP3A4 activity in human hepatic C3A cells with optically controlled CRISPR/dCas9 activator complex. Integr Biol (Camb) 2018; 10:780-790. [PMID: 30520487 DOI: 10.1039/c8ib00109j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Human hepatic C3A cells have been applied in bioartificial liver development, although these cells display low intrinsic cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) enzyme activity. We aimed to enhance CYP3A4 enzyme activity of C3A cells utilizing CRISPR gene editing technology. We designed two CYP3A4 expression enhanced systems applying clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) gene technology: a CRISPR-on activation system including dCas9-VP64-GFP and two U6-sgRNA-mCherry elements, and a light-controlled CRISPR-on activation system combining our CRISPR-on activation system with an optical control system to facilitate regulation of CYP3A4 expression for various applications. Results of enzymatic activity assays displayed increased CYP3A4 activity in C3A cells expressing the CRISPR-on activation system compared with C3A cells. In addition, CYP3A4 activity increased in C3A cells expressing the light-controlled CRISPR-on activation system under blue light radiation compared with C3A cells. Notably, there was no statistical difference in the increase of CYP3A4 protein amounts induced by these two methods. After expansion in culture, C3A cells with the light-controlled CRISPR-on activation system exhibited no statistical difference in CYP3A4 mRNA levels between generations. Our findings provide a method to stably enhance functional gene expression in bioartificial liver cells with the potential for large-scale cell expansion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Han
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China.
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28
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Biagioni A, Laurenzana A, Margheri F, Chillà A, Fibbi G, so M. Delivery systems of CRISPR/Cas9-based cancer gene therapy. J Biol Eng 2018; 12:33. [PMID: 30574185 PMCID: PMC6299643 DOI: 10.1186/s13036-018-0127-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2018] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
CRISPR/Cas9 (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) is today one of the most reliable method for gene-editing, supporting previous gene therapies technologies such as TALEN, Meganucleases and ZFNs. There is a growing up number of manuscripts reporting several successful gene-edited cancer cell lines, but the real challenge is to translate this technique to the clinical practice. While treatments for diseases based on a single gene mutation is closer, being possible to target and repair the mutant allele in a selective way generating specific guide RNAs (gRNAs), many steps need to be done to apply CRISPR to face cancer. In this review, we want to give a general overview to the recent advancements in the delivery systems of the CRISPR/Cas9 machinery in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Biagioni
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Viale G.B. Morgagni 50 –, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Anna Laurenzana
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Viale G.B. Morgagni 50 –, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Francesca Margheri
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Viale G.B. Morgagni 50 –, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Anastasia Chillà
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Viale G.B. Morgagni 50 –, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Gabriella Fibbi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Viale G.B. Morgagni 50 –, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Mario so
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Viale G.B. Morgagni 50 –, 50134 Florence, Italy
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29
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Millette K, Georgia S. Gene Editing and Human Pluripotent Stem Cells: Tools for Advancing Diabetes Disease Modeling and Beta-Cell Development. Curr Diab Rep 2017; 17:116. [PMID: 28980194 DOI: 10.1007/s11892-017-0947-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review will focus on the multiple approaches to gene editing and address the potential use of genetically modified human pluripotent stem cell-derived beta cells (SC-β) as a tool to study human beta-cell development and model their function in diabetes. We will explore how new variations of CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing may accelerate our understanding of beta-cell developmental biology, elucidate novel mechanisms that establish and regulate beta-cell function, and assist in pioneering new therapeutic modalities for treating diabetes. RECENT FINDINGS Improvements in CRISPR/Cas9 target specificity and homology-directed recombination continue to advance its use in engineering stem cells to model and potentially treat disease. We will review how CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing is informing our understanding of beta-cell development and expanding the therapeutic possibilities for treating diabetes and other diseases. Here we focus on the emerging use of gene editing technology, specifically CRISPR/Cas9, as a means of manipulating human gene expression to gain novel insights into the roles of key factors in beta-cell development and function. Taken together, the combined use of SC-β cells and CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing will shed new light on human beta-cell development and function and accelerate our progress towards developing new therapies for patients with diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katelyn Millette
- Center for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Senta Georgia
- Center for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Departments of Pediatrics and Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine Program, Saban Research Institute of Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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30
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Pineda M, Moghadam F, Ebrahimkhani MR, Kiani S. Engineered CRISPR Systems for Next Generation Gene Therapies. ACS Synth Biol 2017; 6:1614-1626. [PMID: 28558198 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.7b00011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
An ideal in vivo gene therapy platform provides safe, reprogrammable, and precise strategies which modulate cell and tissue gene regulatory networks with a high temporal and spatial resolution. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR), a bacterial adoptive immune system, and its CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9), have gained attention for the ability to target and modify DNA sequences on demand with unprecedented flexibility and precision. The precision and programmability of Cas9 is derived from its complexation with a guide-RNA (gRNA) that is complementary to a desired genomic sequence. CRISPR systems open-up widespread applications including genetic disease modeling, functional screens, and synthetic gene regulation. The plausibility of in vivo genetic engineering using CRISPR has garnered significant traction as a next generation in vivo therapeutic. However, there are hurdles that need to be addressed before CRISPR-based strategies are fully implemented. Some key issues center on the controllability of the CRISPR platform, including minimizing genomic-off target effects and maximizing in vivo gene editing efficiency, in vivo cellular delivery, and spatial-temporal regulation. The modifiable components of CRISPR systems: Cas9 protein, gRNA, delivery platform, and the form of CRISPR system delivered (DNA, RNA, or ribonucleoprotein) have recently been engineered independently to design a better genome engineering toolbox. This review focuses on evaluating CRISPR potential as a next generation in vivo gene therapy platform and discusses bioengineering advancements that can address challenges associated with clinical translation of this emerging technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Pineda
- School
of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85281, United States
| | - Farzaneh Moghadam
- School
of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85281, United States
| | - Mo R. Ebrahimkhani
- School
of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85281, United States
- Center for Regenerative
Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, Arizona 85054, United States
| | - Samira Kiani
- School
of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85281, United States
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31
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Transcriptome modeling and phenotypic assays for cancer precision medicine. Arch Pharm Res 2017; 40:906-914. [PMID: 28766239 DOI: 10.1007/s12272-017-0940-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2017] [Accepted: 07/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Cancer precision medicine requires clinically actionable biomarkers for patient stratification and a better prediction of clinical outcome. Although thousands of cancer-enriched mutated genes have been reported by global sequencing projects, to date, only a few oncogenic mutations have been confirmed as effective biomarkers in cancer therapies. The low frequency and varied profile (i.e., allele frequency, mutation position) of mutant genes among cancer types limit the utility of predictive biomarkers. The recent explosion of cancer transcriptome and phenotypic screening data provides another opportunity for finding transcript-level biomarkers and targets, thus overcoming the limitation of cancer mutation analyses. Technological developments enable the rapid and extensive discovery of potential target-biomarker combinations from large-scale transcriptome-level screening combined with physiologically relevant phenotypic assays. Here, we summarized recent progress as well as discussed the outlook of transcriptome-oriented data mining strategies and phenotypic assays for the identification of non-genetic biomarkers and targets in cancer drug discovery.
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32
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Sackett SD, Rodriguez A, Odorico JS. The Nexus of Stem Cell-Derived Beta-Cells and Genome Engineering. Rev Diabet Stud 2017. [PMID: 28632820 DOI: 10.1900/rds.2017.14.39] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Diabetes, type 1 and type 2 (T1D and T2D), are diseases of epidemic proportions, which are complicated and defined by genetics, epigenetics, environment, and lifestyle choices. Current therapies consist of whole pancreas or islet transplantation. However, these approaches require life-time immunosuppression, and are compounded by the paucity of available donors. Pluripotent stem cells have advanced research in the fields of stem cell biology, drug development, disease modeling, and regenerative medicine, and importantly allows for the interrogation of therapeutic interventions. Recent developments in beta-cell differentiation and genomic modifications are now propelling investigations into the mechanisms behind beta-cell failure and autoimmunity, and offer new strategies for reducing the propensity for immunogenicity. This review discusses the derivation of endocrine lineage cells from human pluripotent stem cells for the treatment of diabetes, and how the editing or manipulation of their genomes can transcend many of the remaining challenges of stem cell technologies, leading to superior transplantation and diabetes drug discovery platforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara D Sackett
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1111 Highland Ave, Madison, WI 53711, USA
| | - Aida Rodriguez
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1111 Highland Ave, Madison, WI 53711, USA
| | - Jon S Odorico
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1111 Highland Ave, Madison, WI 53711, USA
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33
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Gerace D, Martiniello-Wilks R, Nassif NT, Lal S, Steptoe R, Simpson AM. CRISPR-targeted genome editing of mesenchymal stem cell-derived therapies for type 1 diabetes: a path to clinical success? Stem Cell Res Ther 2017; 8:62. [PMID: 28279194 PMCID: PMC5345178 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-017-0511-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to their ease of isolation, differentiation capabilities, and immunomodulatory properties, the therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has been assessed in numerous pre-clinical and clinical settings. Currently, whole pancreas or islet transplantation is the only cure for people with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and, due to the autoimmune nature of the disease, MSCs have been utilised either natively or transdifferentiated into insulin-producing cells (IPCs) as an alternative treatment. However, the initial success in pre-clinical animal models has not translated into successful clinical outcomes. Thus, this review will summarise the current state of MSC-derived therapies for the treatment of T1D in both the pre-clinical and clinical setting, in particular their use as an immunomodulatory therapy and targets for the generation of IPCs via gene modification. In this review, we highlight the limitations of current clinical trials of MSCs for the treatment of T1D, and suggest the novel clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) gene-editing technology and improved clinical trial design as strategies to translate pre-clinical success to the clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dario Gerace
- The School of Life Sciences, Chronic Disease Solutions Team and the Centre for Health Technologies, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Rosetta Martiniello-Wilks
- The School of Life Sciences, Chronic Disease Solutions Team and the Centre for Health Technologies, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW, 2007, Australia.,Translational Cancer Research Group, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Najah Therese Nassif
- The School of Life Sciences, Chronic Disease Solutions Team and the Centre for Health Technologies, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Sara Lal
- The School of Life Sciences, Chronic Disease Solutions Team and the Centre for Health Technologies, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW, 2007, Australia.,Neuroscience Research Unit, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Raymond Steptoe
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Ann Margaret Simpson
- The School of Life Sciences, Chronic Disease Solutions Team and the Centre for Health Technologies, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW, 2007, Australia.
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34
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Hu L, Yu Y, Huang H, Fan H, Hu L, Yin C, Li K, Fulton DJR, Chen F. Epigenetic Regulation of Interleukin 6 by Histone Acetylation in Macrophages and Its Role in Paraquat-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis. Front Immunol 2017; 7:696. [PMID: 28194150 PMCID: PMC5276821 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2016.00696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2016] [Accepted: 12/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Overexpression of interleukin 6 (IL-6) has been proposed to contribute to pulmonary fibrosis and other fibrotic diseases. However, the regulatory mechanisms and the role of IL-6 in fibrosis remain poorly understood. Epigenetics refers to alterations of gene expression without changes in the DNA sequence. Alternation of chromatin accessibility by histone acetylation acts as a critical epigenetic mechanism to regulate various gene transcriptions. The goal of this study was to determine the impact of IL-6 in paraquat (PQ)-induced pulmonary fibrosis and to explore whether the epigenetic regulations may play a role in transcriptional regulation of IL-6. In PQ-treated lungs and macrophages, we found that the mRNA and protein expression of IL-6 was robustly increased in a time-dependent and a dose-dependent manner. Our data demonstrated that PQ-induced IL-6 expression in macrophages plays a central role in pulmonary fibrosis through enhanced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). IL-6 expression and its role to enhance PQ-induced pulmonary fibrosis were increased by histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibition and prevented by histone acetyltransferase (HAT) inhibition. In addition, the ability of CRISPR-ON transcription activation system (CRISPR-ON) to promote transcription of IL-6 was enhanced by HDAC inhibitor and blocked by HAT inhibitor. Chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments revealed that HDAC inhibitor increased histones activation marks H3K4me3 and H3K9ac at IL-6 promoter regions. In conclusion, IL-6 functioning through EMT in PQ-induced pulmonary fibrosis was regulated dynamically by HDAC and HAT both in vitro and in vivo via epigenetically regulating chromatin accessibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingli Hu
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Nanjing Medical University , Nanjing , China
| | - Yanfang Yu
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Nanjing Medical University , Nanjing , China
| | - Huijie Huang
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Nanjing Medical University , Nanjing , China
| | - Hanting Fan
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Nanjing Medical University , Nanjing , China
| | - Li Hu
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Nanjing Medical University , Nanjing , China
| | - Caiyong Yin
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Nanjing Medical University , Nanjing , China
| | - Kai Li
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Nanjing Medical University , Nanjing , China
| | - David J R Fulton
- Vascular Biology Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA; Department of Pharmacology, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Feng Chen
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Vascular Biology Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
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Abstract
Epigenome editing aims for an introduction or removal of chromatin marks at a defined genomic region using artificial EpiEffectors resulting in a modulation of the activity of the targeted functional DNA elements. Rationally designed EpiEffectors consist of a targeting DNA-binding module (such as a zinc finger protein, TAL effector, or CRISPR/Cas complex) and usually, but not exclusively, a catalytic domain of a chromatin-modifying enzyme. Epigenome editing opens a completely new strategy for basic research of the central nervous system and causal treatment of psychiatric and neurological diseases, because rewriting of epigenetic information can lead to the direct and durable control of the expression of disease-associated genes. Here, we review current advances in the design of locus- and allele-specific DNA-binding modules, approaches for spatial, and temporal control of EpiEffectors and discuss some examples of existing and propose new potential therapeutic strategies based on epigenome editing for treatment of neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases. These include the targeted silencing of disease-associated genes or activation of neuroprotective genes which may be applied in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases or the control of addiction and depression. Moreover, we discuss allele-specific epigenome editing as novel therapeutic approach for imprinting disorders, Huntington's disease and Rett syndrome.
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